TAASLP Leadership

Ginger Geldreich Jones is an SLP and Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist. She is the founder and CEO of Jones Therapy Services which provides speech-language, physical, occupational, feeding and behavior therapy in 10 locations in Tennessee.  Born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Mississippi. She went on to complete her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in aural habilitation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Ginger is licensed by the Tennessee Board of Communication Disorders and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She currently serves on the board of Autism Tennessee, the board of the Nashville Chapter of Entrepreneur’s Organization, and the board of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. She is a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization and Entrepreneurs’ Organization.  Ginger was a recipient of the 2013 40 Under 40 by the Nashville Business Journal, recognized as a favorite Speech Language Pathologist in Nashville Parent Magazine,  In 2018, she was named an Enterprising Women Champion by Enterprising Women Magazine.  She’s been named as a Woman of Influence in 2019 and Most Admired CEO in 2019 and 2020 by the Nashville Business Journal.  Jones Therapy Services was recognized on the INC 5000 list of the 5000 fastest growing companies in the United States in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.   Ginger lives in Nashville with her husband and 2 sons.

Meagan Spencer received her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Harding University and her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. She started as a rural school-based speech pathologist, but is now a pro-bono rural community-based SLP and clinic director of the FHU Speech Clinic, which serves rural West TN with no-cost services. She is also the program coordinator of the CSD program at Freed-Hardeman University and a rural health/education researcher and advocate. She is a 2021 ASHA Distinguished Early Career Professional and enjoys watching future SLPs love the profession as an FHU NSSLHA chapter sponsor. In her off-time, she likes to listen to punk rock music (think Paramore) and drinking copious amounts of coffee at the local coffee shop.

Jessica Lenden-Holt is a bilingual, CCC-SLP living in Johnson City, TN. She has been a speech language pathologist for 14 years and has experience as a speech-language pathologist in schools, hospitals, home health, teletherapy and private practice settings.

Jessica was a Whittle Scholar at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where she earned an Honors degree in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology and an Honors degree in Spanish with an emphasis on Hispanic Studies. Jessica received an MA degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with an emphasis in Bilingualism/Multiculturalism from the University of Texas-Austin. She has studied abroad in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Peru. Jessica worked as a bilingual SLP on the Texas-Mexico border for seven years before moving back to Tennessee.

Jessica is currently the Sr. Director of Clinical Services for Sidekick Therapy Partners and Owner of Speech Therapy with Lenden-Holt (Teachers Pay Teachers store). In her spare time, she loves creating resources and materials for other SLPs.

Louise Powers is an audiologist for Eargo, based out of Nashville. She received her Doctor of Audiology from University of Memphis and her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She enjoys educating patients on implications of their hearing loss and helping them navigate through the convoluted hearing aid market to find a solution best for them. Prior to Eargo, she was in the private practice setting for three years collaborating with all 5 big manufacturers and many third party payers.  In her spare time, you can find her cheering on the Vols, redecorating every room in her house twice and spending time with friends and family.

Audrey Thompson, MS, CCC-SLP received her Batchelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Delta State University in 1988 and her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Mississippi in 1990. She has been employed as a Speech-Language Pathologist with Williamson County Schools in Tennessee since 2002. Audrey is licensed by the Tennessee State Department of Education and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech- Language and Hearing Association. Prior to joining WCS, Audrey partnered with the team of Mariner Health Care in Nashville, TN, serving the geriatric population residing in skilled nursing facilities. She has experience collaborating with OTs and PTs in the hospital setting serving patients suffering stroke and/or brain injuries. Additionally, Audrey has experience with a non-profit rehabilitation center, serving a variety of speech-language disorders including craniofacial anomalies such as cleft palate. Audrey resides in Franklin with her husband and two dogs.

Kristen Secora, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an assistant professor of communication disorders at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her areas of interest include perspective-taking and its connection with language as well as language deprivation and how to support language access for deaf/hard of hearing children. She has worked as an SLP since 2016 in various settings including a public school with an autism and deaf/hard of hearing focus (and also with all other clinical areas represented) as well as in private practice and early intervention for in person and teletherapy. She is a member of ASHA’s SIG 9 (Pediatric Hearing and Hearing Disorders) and serves as a peer reviewer for ASHA’s Perspectives journal and the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education.

Bess Sirmon-Taylor has been a speech-language pathologist for over 30 years, and has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, summer camps, and higher education.  She received her BS and MS in SLP from Florida State University, an MS in Psychology from Georgia College, and her PhD in Linguistics from the University of Georgia.  Bess is an avid supporter of state association work, and served as the President of the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as VP for Social and Governmental Policy of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and on the TAASLP Advocacy Committee.  Bess is Chair of the Dept of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at East Tennessee State University, and lives in Johnson City with her husband and their five special needs rescue dogs.

Lori Shea, M.S. CCC-SLP is in her fifth year working as Director of Learning Support at Middle Tennessee Christian School.  In addition, for the last seven years, she has served as an adjunct clinical supervisor for Middle Tennessee State University's Speech and Hearing Clinic.  Lori completed her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from West Virginia University in 1994. Since then she has worked in a variety of settings including Early Intervention, Skilled Nursing, K-12 Schools, and pediatric outpatient facilities.

Jennifer Bancroft, Ph.D. CCC-SLP is in her second year of service as faculty for the new MSLP program at APSU.  Jennifer completed her Ph.D. in early childhood special education at Vanderbilt University in 2021.  Prior to returning to graduate school in 2017, Jennifer worked in Williamson County Schools as a speech language pathologist for 10 years. There she served preschool through transition age students. Jennifer has also worked in the acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings.

The StAMPs provide leadership, guidance, and support on topics related to coverage, reimbursement, and the delivery of services under Medicare.

Rachel Simmerman is a 1st year Audiology student at East Tennessee State University. She earned her B.S in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Tennessee. Rachel is an active member in the ETSU SAA chapter. Rachel found her interest in Audiology when her fiancé, who is active-duty Air Force, was referred to the audiologist due to high-intensity noise exposure. This interaction ignited Rachel's interest to improve the quality of individuals with hearing challenges. In her free time, Rachel enjoys hiking, spontaneous road trips, and DIY improvements on her family's hobby farm.